Artrell Hawkins Found Not Guilty in Domestic Violence Dispute

Former professional football player Artrell Hawkins was found not guilty of domestic violence by a Cincinnati Court judge on Thursday.

The ruling at a Hamilton County Municipal Court on Thursday came a little less than two months after Hawkins, a former Bengals defensive back and NFL commentator, was accused by his wife of initiating a late-night altercation at a Springdale home where she was staying.

When police responded to a call regarding a possible domestic dispute at the home on Feb. 15, Hawkins’ wife told police that he had slashed her tires and kicked the basement door, which led her to be scared for her safety and the safety of her children, according to court documents.

In 911 audio, the father of the Hawkins’ wife said “her and her husband are getting separated. He has bashed the door down and sliced all the tires on her car. He’s threatening to do harm to her and the kids.”

Hawkins’ wife filed a restraining order, and Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Cheryl Grant released Hawkins on $5,000 bail. The judge also ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle.

Prosecutors called four witnesses to the stand at the trial on Thursday morning. Hawkins, 37, of Symmes Township, was the only defense witness.

Hawkins played six seasons with the Bengals, one with Carolina and two with New England, after being drafted in the second round of the 1998 draft out of the University of Cincinnati. He retired from the NFL in 2006.

Hawkins said Thursday that media reports of the incident were inaccurate, and that he was glad that his name was cleared.